Introduction
When it comes to delivering documents, mail, and small parcels faster, International Speed Post (Often known as EMS) becomes the no.1 choice.
Its quick processing, vast network, cost-effective solution, and special delivery handling options help you reach every corner of the globe - even to the remotest and most isolated areas.
In this guide, we’ll give you a step-by-step detailed breakdown of how International Speed Post works and how you can send parcels via this solution.
Let’s start with the basics.
Top 5 Benefits of International Speed Post for eCommerce Shipping
Sure, numerous private logistics companies are available in the market that provide faster postal services.
But, there are some additional perks that make International Speed Post/EMS a one-stop solution for sending mail, documents, and parcels. These are:-
1) Superfast Delivery
As per the latest study by Forbes, 22% of online shoppers drop off their purchasing decisions because of slow delivery.
As the name suggests, International Speed Post is specially designed for faster delivery services.
Within just 3-7 days, you can send parcels no matter where the recipient is across the world.
So, if you have urgent needs or want to meet your customers’ priority shipping requirements, International Speed Post is undoubtedly a better choice.
2) Safe and Secure Transportation
These International Speed Post services are authorized by the government. So, there are no chances of getting scammed.
At the same time, you and your customers will get full visibility of the shipment status.
In fact, most postal services like India Post, USPS, and Russia Post offer insurance coverage for high-value items.
As a result, you can send expensive parcels or important financial documents without any risks.
3) Door-to-Door Delivery
National postal authorities like India Post, China Post EMS, and Japan Post EMS offer door-to-door delivery.
It means you can specify a location from where the delivery agent will pick up the parcel, and then it’d directly deliver it to your customers’ selected location.
It, in turn, will save you time that you can invest in your business growth.
4) Fair Pricing
International Speed Post surely charges more than standard international shipping. But, if you compare this pricing with the express parcel services offered by private logistics companies, you’ll find it more reasonable.
Plus, the cost required for International Speed Post fairly justifies the special care (safe handling, tracking, insurance coverage, secure packaging) the national postal authorities take for the shipment.
5) Vast Global Network
These national postal authorities have a vast network with other postal and carrier services across the globe. For instance, USPS has partnerships with 35,000 post offices, stations, and branches.
Likewise, India Post has the largest network in the world - having 1 54,965 post offices worldwide.
Consequently, you can access both rural and urban areas - maintaining your customers’ faster shipping needs.
How Does International Speed Post Work? (A Step-by-Step Process)
Now that you know how you will benefit from the International Speed Post, you must also be aware of how it works so you can take the required actions to send parcels and mail globally.
1) Booking a postal service provider
To get facilitated by the International Speed Post, first, you have to book its service by contacting the national postal authority. You can visit their office near your location or directly connect with them online.
ClickPost partners with national postal authorities like India Post, USPS, and Austrian Post, among others.
So, you can also go for it to avail of the service and centralize everything (order manifestation, fetching EDD, real-time tracking, NDA, and final delivery)on a single dashboard.
2) Documentation Process
Under the EMS service, you’ll find different options based on the urgency of the shipment. Select the one as per your shipping requirements. Depending on that shipping option, the pricing and documentation process will vary.
For example, USPS offers a variety of options like Priority Mail Express International (3-5 business days), Priority Mail International (6-10 days), First-Class Mail International Service (7-21 days), and so on.
If you go for the Priority Mail Express International service, the cost will start from $56. On the flip side, Priority Mail International will charge you a minimum of $30.35.
Though the documentation process will differ from country to country, here are some general information and documents you need for international speed post:
- Detailed accurate address of both the sender and the receiver.
- A comprehensive list of the items you’ll be sending.
(Note: Ensure you abide by the rules and regulations for the prohibited items of the destination country. For instance, you can’t send explosives, cigars, live animals, etc. So, check it first with your national postal authority.)
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Customs declaration form (you can either print it on your own from the website of your national postal authority or contact the agent to obtain it.)
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Commercial Invoice (for commercial goods)
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Identity Proof
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Shipping labels (Again, you can get it online from your national postal authority's recommended site. Now, if you go for ClickPost, you can generate shipping labels within minutes by automating the process.)
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Postage payment receipt
3) Preparing Shipments
By now, you are done with all the documentation process. Next, you have to prepare your shipments for transportation. But before you start packaging, be aware of the weight restrictions associated with international speed posts.
Let’s say you are sending parcels via USPS. In that case, the maximum weight you can send via International Speed Post is 31 kg. Likewise, India Post allows you to send items up to 35 kg. Now, the maximum posting weight via Singapore Post is 20 Kg.
It means the maximum weight for International Speed Post will depend on the regulations of the sender and destination countries. So, it’d be better if you visit your postal service provider’s official website for the latest update regarding weight.
Once you know the maximum weight you can ship, start preparing your box. Oftentimes, you’ll get free packaging supplies like cardboard boxes, padding, and taps with the service option you have chosen.
If not, purchase these materials and secure your items with a sturdy box and cushioning.
Next, attach the shipping label properly on the wider side of the box and hand it over to the agent of the national postal authority. You can also benefit from a free pick-up option where the agent will collect the box from your location.
4) Product Sorting
The box is then sent to the central processing facility. There, it’s scanned, and the staff check whether the box is properly packaged and labeled. After that, a barcode and a tracking number are assigned to that package.
At the same time, the postal authority will also provide you and your recipient with the same tracking no. so you can track the shipment on your own.
Next, the necessary information, like the sender’s details, recipient’s details, and package dimensions, is entered into their system. Once done, the staff review the customs declaration and group together the packages based on their destination.
5) Shipping & Tracking
These postal authorities usually have a vast network of global carriers and fleets, including airlines and vessels. For example, USPS alone has 2 35 000 vehicles. Your shipment will be then assigned to one of its transportation lines.
Throughout the shipping process, both you and your recipient can track the package with the unique tracking ID.
It gets even simpler on ClickPost’s centralized dashboard. With its pull and push APIs, you can get full shipment tracking visibility of your parcel.
6) Customs Clearance
After reaching the destination country, the package will undergo various inspections and assessments. Remember you fill out a customs declaration form in the initial documentation process; it’ll now come in handy.
The customs officer will check the parcel’s content, property, and value. They’ll also impose customs duties and taxes for imports. If there are no discrepancies, like the document missing, they will release the parcel for further delivery.
7) Delivery to Local Postal Authority
The international carriers usually partner with local postal authorities to speed up the process. Once the customs process is cleared, they hand over the parcels to the local carrier service provider. There, the package is sorted and immediately dispatched to deliver it to its destination.
8) Last-mile Delivery
It is the last stage of the transportation process. The mail drivers of the local postal authority plan their routes so they can reach their destination faster. Based on that, they load the parcel onto the vehicle and start their journey to the end customer. Here, note that the tracking no. don’t get changed - it remains the same throughout the process.
9) Delivery Confirmation
Once the parcels are delivered, delivery confirmation is recorded, and a sign from the recipient is taken as proof of delivery. The same is updated in the system, and the sender gets a confirmation that the mail/document has been successfully delivered.
Final Words
As you saw, international speed post works in the same way international parcel shipping works. But what sets it apart is its fast processing. Starting from documentation to customs clearance to last-mile delivery - everything is specially designed for quick shipment.
And the best part? It’s authorized and taken care of by the government. So, you can stay safe from any types of risks.
If you are planning to go for the International Speed Post, we hope our detailed breakdown will handhold you throughout the journey. On top of that, if you need additional help, book a demo for the ClickPost product here.
FAQs
1) How long does the international speed post take to deliver?
It depends on the service package you have opted for. But, generally, International Speed Post from any country’s postal authority can take 3-10 days to reach its destination country.
2) Can international Speed Post be tracked?
Yes! Almost every postal authority has a dedicated tracking portal on their website where you can enter the tracking ID to monitor your shipments. On top of that, they will send you a time-to-time notification of your shipment status.